sing my mind

things go 'round

2010-10-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lovin' this performance by Fistful of Mercy.

If you can't see the video, check out this link.

For more info on Fistful of Mercy, check out this link.

the cave

2010-09-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Note: I accidentally posted this on my other blog, To Be. Oooops...well, here it is. Where it's supposed to be.

Thank you satellite radio for introducing me to Mumford and Sons. I don't know much about them, yet, as I just recently exited my cave and came into enlightenment. Okay, so that was a corny statement.

Now, I have an album that I must buy this weekend... Seriously, this song gives me this feeling of nostalgia for reasons incomprehensible to myself. Is it the Irish-sounding vocals/accent (I don't really know if he's Irish, but he sure sounds like it to me)? Is it that awesome melody that I can't get enough of? The folk-rock thing they have going on? Is "folk-rock" hyphenated, because it just seems like it should be!

Whatever it is, it's been on my mind and I love it!

If you can't see the video, you can click here.

bulletproof

2010-06-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

I'm really digging this song by La Roux. It makes me think of a Nintendo game...

Click here to see the Youtube video.

rabbit heart

2010-04-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

I'm totally obsessing over Florence and the Machine right now. Seriously. Obsessing. Over. It.

This whole album is amazing. The gospel-like choruses with the many layered voices will quickly get stuck in her head...and her voice is so unique. Totally intrigued.

I love a new obsession and Florence has my heart at the moment....

Note: Originally, I had the official music video to this song, but it wouldn't work due to copyright issues, so I'm posting this fabulous live version. I still recommend the original music video, which you can view here.

For more on Florence and the Machine, click here.

posssession

2010-03-06T21:20:00.001-08:00

I've been in a Sarah McLachlan mood lately. I stumbled upon this video on Youtube and I've just been so captivated with it, so I thought I'd share.

This is her first ever performance of the song Possession before she was even finished with it in the studio. Following this beautiful, acoustic performance of this mystifying song, is an awesome interview.

As always, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

Embedding has been disabled, so you'll have to click the link in order to view the video:

Click here to see the video.

For more information on Sarah McLachlan, click here.

do you wanna date my avatar?

2010-02-22T03:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not a gamer, but I have to admit that I am absolutely obsessed with Felicia Day. I thought Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-blog was pure genius, and after Chris talking about how awesome Felicia Day was, I had to check her out (and she is hot).

She is amazing. She was accepted into Julliard (for she is an amazing violinist) but turned it down to go to the University of Texas at Austin on a full scholarship where she received degrees in Mathematics and Music Performance. She moved to L.A. and has acted in various TV shows (including House, M.D.) and started her own web series called, The Guild (which is hilarious).

Felicia worked with Jed Whedon (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog) to create this song, which features the characters from The Guild dressed up as their characters from the online game they play together.

Enjoy.

If you can't see the video, click here.
For Felicia Day's website, click here.
For The Guild, click here.

heart

2010-02-03T03:48:00.000-08:00

I've been listening to this song a lot lately. It's so simple, and yet, there is something that just grabs at my heart...fitting title? The simplicity of the lyrics just make it that much more endearing to me.

You may or may not have heard of their singles from this album, Two Hands or Heaven. I guess another song from this album entitled, Hero has been used in a few television promos, so perhaps you've heard this band there.

For those who have been fans from Flood know that this band doesn't disappoint. They do what they love, and they do it well. Each album is unique, and completely different from the last, so you won't get bored.

Now, for those who don't follow this band, I probably should be posting an energetic song, a popular song, or a song so beautiful it makes you cry. But, as I've stated on this blog, I post what I am obsessing over, and I happen to be obsessing over the least popular song on the album (go figure). So if you don't like this song, don't give up on the band. If you do like the song, I think you rock. Have some pie. Seriously, eat a piece of pie for me, because I really want pie, but alas, I have no oven and no Village Inn.

Heart by Jars of Clay from The Long Fall Back to Earth

If you can't see the video, click here.
For more on Jars of Clay, click here.

your ghost

2010-01-03T03:40:00.000-08:00

Long time no post...and it's not due to the lack of musical obsessions, let me assure you. The latest obsession is the classic song by Kristin Hersh.

Way back when I heard a version of this song with Lisa Hannigan (Damien Rice) and I fell in love with it. More recently, I searched for this song in order to set the mood for a scene I was writing in a story. It's just so beautifully simple and haunting.

Then, out of curiosity, I decided to see what other versions were out there when I stumbled upon a Greg Laswell version of this song. Very different, but also nice. After listening to it for maybe twenty times, my husband and I watched an episode of Doll House and this version of the song was featured in that episode. Let it be known, I obsessed with it before that episode of Doll House. Anyone else completely heart broken that that show is being canceled?

Anyhow, I couldn't decide which version to post, so I'm posting all three versions that I've obsessed over because I can't get enough of this song. Enjoy.

The Lisa Hannigan version:

If you can't see the video, click here.

The Greg Laswell version (the one everyone is obsessing over at the moment, featured in Doll House and, I think, Grey's Anatomy):

If you can't see the video, click here.

Kristin Hersh with Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)--the original and my favorite version. Very haunting.

If you can't see the video, click here.

mariner's revenge song

2009-10-30T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you've never heard The Decemberists, then you're in for a treat. I fell in love the first time I heard them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. The video is just the lyrics, but you really don't need to read them. Just enjoy the song.

If you can't see the video, click here.
For more on The Decemberists, click here.

sally's song

2009-10-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween is coming up...

Usually around this time, I find the need to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. I absolutely love that movie (and lucky for me, so does Japan...it's everywhere).

As I'm waiting to get the chance to watch the movie, I've been listening to this song. It's so beautiful and it puts me in that Halloween mood.

This is a cover of the song, done by Amy Lee.

Enjoy.

For more on The Nightmare Before Christmas, click here.
For more on Amy Lee, click here.

rain

2009-10-18T02:56:00.001-07:00

So...I'm obsessing over Mika once again. This time, it's the song, Rain. This song is from his new album and it gets stuck in my head. This is the song on the CD that after it plays, I want to play it again. I think, mostly, I just want to shout out, "I HATE DAYS LIKE THIS!"

If you haven't checked out Mika's new album yet, I totally recommend it. It's brilliant and stands out in the world of pop music.

As usual, I hope you enjoy.

If you can't see the video, click here.
For more on Mika, click here.

the reign

2009-10-09T19:58:00.000-07:00

I find this instrumental to be beautiful and relaxing. On the original album, it has lyrics, but I honestly think this song was meant to be an instrumental. The lyrics sort of kill it for me. Plus, when she sings, "Big, free..." I think it sounds like she's going to sing, "Big freak..."

So I've provided this beautiful instrumental for you to enjoy. The original song is from Tarja Turunen's solo album, My Winter Storm. I own a copy and there are some true gems on there. However, I can't decided if the gems are worth the crap you have to listen to to get to them. Seriously, there are some songs that drive me crazy because they seem so horribly put together.

Then, again, I shouldn't call them crap. I'm sure somebody out there thinks a song I think is crap is their all-time favorite song. So I take back the crap statement--without deleting it from the text. Yes, just listen to me ramble. I've been in a rambling mood.

PS I haven't watched the video, so I don't know what pics are contained in it. I just listen. Heads up.

Isn't it a beautiful instrumental. I've been listening to this as I do my writing. Yay, for a new story! Helps me escape the everyday life that is driving me nuts right now.

And this song helps, I think. It's just so pretty.

Okay, I'm done rambling; I promise. For now.

For more on Tarja, click here.

happy ending

2009-10-03T17:12:00.001-07:00

Because I'm still on a Mika kick....and I think this video is just freakishly awesome. I can't get enough of it. I can't believe I've only recently discovered it.

Anybody else think of The Labyrinth when they see the talking hands?

As always, hope you enjoy...

Unfortunately, I can't embed the video, so I'll just leave you with a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl4WN-aOWDY

For more on Mika, click here.

we are golden

2009-09-26T23:51:00.000-07:00

Mika has a new album out! Chris and I both love it! It's fantastic! Here, I would like to post the only video out, as of now, from this album. It's not my favorite song on the album, but it is awesome, just the same. Today is actually the first time I've seen what Mika looked like, so, it's been a new experience!

If you can't see the video, click here.
For more on Mika, click here.

tegami, knockin' on heaven's door

2009-09-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

When I first came to Japan, there was this song I would hear playing on the radio in some shops and restaurants that really touched me. The problem was, I had no idea who the artist was or what the title of the song was.

When some students told me that their favorite song was "Tegami," I had a strange feeling that this was the song that was haunting me so much. I always meant to look it up, but didn't get around to it.

When going out with friends, the song would come on, and I'd be like, "Wait! Who sings this?!" but nobody could tell me, or nobody could hear the song that was playing.

This was way back when we first arrived.

Just the other day, I was at a junior high school where I work and the students were playing a version of a student choir singing it. I immediately asked the closest person, "Who sings this?"

I was told Angela Aki. The music teacher informed me that Angela Aki wrote this song, as well.

I went home that night to check her out. Turns out, her mother is Italian-American and her father is Japanese. She speaks/sings in both English and Japanese.

I have personal reasons for being so attached to this song. Even if you can't understand what she's singing, you can feel the power, emotion, and beauty in this song.

If you can't see the video, click here.

I've also been obsessing over her interpretation of Dylan's, Knockin' On Heaven's Door. You should definitely check this out:

If you can't see the video, click here.

For more on Angela Aki, click here.

prince of darkness

2009-08-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was really little, I got a radio for my birthday that had a tape player in which you could record with. Although very young, I was drawn to this song. I would bring my tape recorder to a whole in the floor that was above my dad's stereo room while he played this song so that I would have a copy of it for myself.

Later in grade school, my dad got out his stereo stuff for a show he was doing and asked if I had any requests. I told him I remember a song from a long time ago and hummed it for him. He was surprised that a.) I remember that song and b.) I was so drawn to it at a young age.

That's how I discovered who the Indigo Girls were, and I've been in love with them ever since. My dad took me to see them once for my first concert. I'll never forget it.

If you can't see the video, go here.
For more information on the Indigo Girls, go here.

ocean and a rock

2009-08-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

I am totally obsessed with Lisa Hannigan. I obsessed with her long before her first album, Sea Sew came out. She is adorable in personality, magical in her live performances, and mystical in her song writing. Her and her band love what they do and it shines in their performances.

I think this is my favorite song from her solo album, though it can be hard to decide. It's called, Ocean and a Rock and the lyrics are adorable, the music sends chills down my spine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I really don't like how this video puts the lyrics coming out of her mouth, but, oh, well. If you get a chance, listen to the entire album--enjoy with a glass of wine and let Lisa's voice take you out to sea.

If you can't see the video on this page, click here.
For more on Lisa Hannigan, visit her website.

oh my god

2009-07-15T02:02:00.000-07:00

I listened to this song on the way to and from work today. Every so often I need it to open my eyes to what is going on in the world outside of myself. I cry almost every time I hear it. It's a very powerful song that touches something inside me and makes me want to really do something in the world.

From my all-time favorite band for their great music, experimentation, spirituality and open-mindedness, this song is Oh My God by Jars of Clay. This is from the album, Good Monsters, which is very much a rock album with a whole lot of political messages that weren't so obvious in their previous albums. What's great, is that their sound is ever-evolving, which keeps me interested.

This particular song is what I needed at this point.

If you can't see the video, click here.
For more on Jars of Clay, click here.

As always, I hope you enjoy!

Memory

2009-07-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was a little girl, my grandma took me to see a production of Cats. Even at a young age, I was hypnotized by this song and wanted so much to get a hold of a recording of it, but was too shy to ask.

Last night, I stumbled upon this beautiful arrangement that I just love. I don't know much about the singer, Simone Simons, or her Dutch gothic band, Epica, as I really did just stumble upon this. She seems to have some training, though there were a few times (two that really stand out to me) where she sings the word "memory" and at the very end of the word, she goes slightly up with an extra push. I think some singers in mainstream music do that to show emotion, but it's always annoyed me. Perhaps you're supposed to do that (I'm not classically trained, obviously), but I don't like it. The way she does it, it's not so obvious, and her lovely voice totally trumps the little annoyances.

There's other parts where her voice seems to lack a little control to me, but again, I could be wrong. I actually found these parts to be endearing, rather than annoying, though. I don't always like to have it perfect....

Either way, there's no denying that her voice is beautiful, so it's worth a listen.

If you can't see the video, click here.

For more information on Epica, visit their website.

Break Away

2009-06-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

I love this song and as it's been my main listen this morning, I decided to share it. It's Beryl Marsden's "Break Away."

Beryl Marsden is a British singer who was often declared as, "the next big thing," but never really made it as a solo artist.

This song was a nice find when I stumbled upon it from somebody else's website (sorry, I can't remember where I had gotten it from; it was a while back). It's catchy and really makes you want to dance along to it. This isn't really a video; it's just a picture with music. So, turn the volume up and dance along.

I really hope you enjoy.

If you can't see the video, you can click on this link to listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrOgg7RKQqY

For more information on Beryl Marsden, you can visit:
http://www.beryl.moonfruit.com/

Omnos

2009-06-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

I've been sick, so I won't take too much time writing.

My current obsession is the song, Omnos by Eluveitte off of their acoustic album Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (released in April of this year). Evocation I is the first of a two album concept.

Eluveitie is a folk metal band (I know, it sounds like an oxymoron) from Switzerland. Their sound is unique in that they use traditional folk instruments to create their own metal sound.

Omnos is a fast paced song with a nice up-to-date folk sound (again with the oxymorons).

The song is in the ancient language of Gaulish. I love the sound of some ancient languages, so that is part of the appeal for me. The song is an old folk tale that is very similar to Little Red Riding Hood.

If you like old instruments with a fast beat and a catchy tune, you should definitely check this out.

If you are unable to see the video here, then click on these links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msRy4vcSX4k
http://www.uvtv.info/updates/music-videos/2009/eluveitie-omnos/

For more information on Eluveitie or if you wish to order the album, please visit:
http://www.eluveitie.ch/en/

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I did!

Introductions and Sleeping Sun

2009-06-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I've now started a new blog. The reason behind this blog is that I get into these little obsessions in music, and some things I really feel the need to share...so I was posting it on my To Be blog...which is supposed to be about my adventures in Japan. I was posting about Irish music on a Japan blog...wasn't really working.

So, I decided to do a whole separate blog about music I'd like to share, when I thought, hey! Why don't I share all and any music I become obsessed with. Sounds simple enough, except, there are certain obsessions I fall in and out of that I wouldn't willingly admit to...

There are a lot of songs, artists, bands, etc. that some stuck up people would say, "That sucks!" or "They ruined that genre," or "It's pop music so it, uh, sucks!" Well, I'm here to tell you that if you like something, whether it be pop, classical, metal, rock, folk, bluegrass, whatever--you shouldn't have to be afraid to admit it!

Now, on a normal day-to-day basis, I find folk music to be pretty brilliant and beautiful. But, I have to admit, although I don't listen to the radio, I do once in a while stumble across a pop song I like. I've even (gosh, I can't believe I'm gonna say it) stumbled across a country song that I like. The horror!

The point being, I'm not going to discriminate against genres. What you see here will sometimes be brilliant. Other times, it will be downright disturbing.

Still, I hope you enjoy.

Unafraid. Unashamed. I will share with you my secret musical obsessions, no matter how embarrassing they are to admit to. So all of you out there listening, enjoy what's currently on my mind--the good and the bad.

To kick off this blog, I'd like to start off with an obsession with an outdated song (signified by it's overuse of synthesizers) by a symphonic metal band from Finland. This particular song isn't hard metal. It's, actually, pretty soothing.

I've complained about this singer before because I believe she was trained in singing for musical theater (at least, in some songs, that's what it sounds like), which isn't very appealing for me outside of musical theater. Some songs, however, I find her voice to be very nice, and this song that I just stumbled upon the other night is one of them.

The song is Sleeping Sun by Nightwish. The vocalist is Tarja Turunen who has started a solo career with her operatic voice. She was kicked out of Nightwish for apparently having too big of an ego, which has sparked anger with some fans towards the new singer of Nightwish. It's pretty ridiculous, actually, as it's been several years, and fans are still giving the new singer a hard time due to her crime of replacing the woman whose voice, I suppose, must have made the band.

But all things must pass...

So enjoy this old Nighwish song. The video is, actually, pretty crappy, so just put on your headphones, close your eyes, and ignore the video.

For more information on Nighwish, visit: http://www.nightwish.com/
For more information on Tarja, visit: http://www.tarjaturunen.com/